DOE: Safety rules on transporting EVs being drafted after MV June Aster tragedy

The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Thursday that authorities are working to soon issue safety regulations on the transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) following the deadly fire that broke out aboard the MV June Aster while it was sailing to Coron, Palawan.

The department said that they are already coordinating with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

“We already coordinated with MARINA on the matter. There’s an ongoing review, at the interagency level, to update the rules and regulations with respect to the transport of electric vehicles,” said DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino during the Senate’s deliberation on the DOE’s proposed P5.57-billion budget for 2027.

“Right now, the existing regulations do not specifically prohibit the transport of electric vehicles. So we are now working with MARINA with the issuance of specific regulations, so our shipping lines will be properly guided,” he added.

A total of 77 people have been confirmed dead, eight are still missing, and only 43 survived the MV June Aster tragedy last September 9, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The ferry was also carrying five motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift, a pickup truck and mostly cargo goods, the PCG said.

However, the DOE said that investigations have yet to confirm that the fire was due to the EV aboard the vessel.

“There was an electric vehicle in the vessel in Coron. But there were also internal combustion engines. That’s why there’s no finding yet that the fire was caused by the electric vehicle,” said Aquino.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Montenegro Lines announced it is banning "effective immediately" any EV or Hybrid EV from its vessels, whether for passenger or cargo carriage.

"This measure is being implemented as a preventive safety precaution to minimize the risk of fire, explosion, thermal runaway, and other potential hazards associated with electric and hybrid vehicle batteries during vessel operations," the shipping lines said.

It also directed its Vessel Masters to enforce the following:

• Ensure that no electric or hybrid vehicle is accepted for boarding or carriage onboard
• Coordinate with the Operations Department, Terminal, Ticketing, Loading, and Cargo Personnel to ensure strict implementation of this directive
• Ensure that vehicles are properly identified and checked prior to boarding:
• Immediately report any attempted boarding or carriage of an electric or hybrid vehicle to the Operations Department and SQA Department
• Strictly comply with this directive until further notice or until Management issues a revised instruction

"The safety and protection of our passengers, crew, vessels, and cargo remain our highest priority. All concerned personnel are expected to exercise vigilance and ensure strict compliance with this directive," it said.— BM, GMA News